<p>Well I have been REALLY stressing over this and I would really like some guidance. I am a high school senior who has applied to my local community college. I plan to go there and then transfer after. I want to get into a good school of my choice. I am not saying an Ivy, just a good LAC.</p>
<p>Then theres the other side of the argument. People are telling me to go to a mediocre 4 year school and then transfer after a semester or a year to the school of my choice. Both options have there positives and negatives, but I don;t know what to choose! Its really making me stress out. If I get the same GPA in community college as a regular 4 year and want to transfer, would a college take the 4 year student over the community college?</p>
<p>I dont know if this factors in but my high school GPA and SATs are low, ECs, and volunteer work are close to none. If I get accepted what would look better a 4 year or a community college?</p>
<p>Don't listen to the kids in your high school. High schoolers tend to give community colleges a lot less credit than they should receive. If you do good at a community college you have all the same opportunity as any other transfer student. There are students from community colleges who even transfer to ivy league schools! </p>
<p>The CC route isn't that bad and it allows you to go through 1-2 years of college debt free.. which helps because you can afford to go to a bit more expensive of a school even if you don't receive a huge financial aid package. Going to a CC is not a bad route and will not really inhibit you at almost any part of your college experiece besides maybe the parties and dorm life.</p>
<p>I understand that, but what if I get enough financial aid from a 4 year school so that I can afford it? Just say that with financial aid at a 4 year, the price would be the exact same for a community college if not better. Would it be better to go to a 4 year school with my HS stats looking like that or a CC? I would much rather transfer to a 4 year school as early as possible. Would a community college or a 4 year better my chances at being admitted to a good 4 year school?</p>
<p>It is better to give what your situation is and then we can assess from there. Personally, if you are a good student I would recommend going away to the 4 year uni (only if it is the same price!!)simply because you would have a better time meeting people in the dorms and whatnot. Community college can be rather dull, I don't think one or the other will be too much of a difference on whether or not you will get accepted to a good university.. the main factor in being accepted to a top school is YOU. If you have really high grades, it isn't going to matter if you went to a community college or a mediocre university.</p>
<p>My HS GPA is going to be around a 2.5
I have no ECs and VERY little volunteer work
My SATs are around a 1500</p>
<p>I want to get into a top LAC such as Hobart William&Smith, Franklin&Marshall, or a school up to par with those schools stats. My financial situation is not bad, but I would prefer to save money for college. If I get into a mediocre 4 year college but get good financial aid, I will more than likely go there and transfer rather than transferring from a community college. </p>
<p>The thing that brings me down is my HS stats. Would a top school like to see everything I didnt do in HS such as ECs and volunteer work? If I do exceptional in a 4 year after a semester or a year, do ECs and volunteer work, will my chances increase rather than coming from a CC?</p>
<p>I personally think your chances would be about the same. My high school stats were about the same in high school (although I started really close to a 4.0 fresh/soph year.. so think of how bad i had to do junior/senior year lol) but anyways I chose to go to a CC and went for 2 years and I am going to UMiami next year.</p>
<p>You are going to have to get 30 credits and then apply so your high school record isn't taken into consdieration.</p>
<p>Most transfer admissions take students who have already completed more than one semester of college. Getting transfer admission as a freshman/sophomore is generally much more difficult than transferring in as a junior.</p>
<p>Especially with your mediocre GPA/SATs, I would think that it will be much easier for you to make a case to high-end LAC admissions officers if you apply after at least one year of solid academic achievement at wherever you decide to go first.</p>
<p>If a four-year school is going to offer you enough financial aid to go there for not much more than the cost of a community college, I'd jump on it and go there. But at the same time... check into any potential strings attached to that money that may apply if you transfer out midway through.</p>
<p>ECs/volunteer work really don't matter a whole lot for transfer applications. They're looking for proven academic achievement at the college level.</p>
<p>I don't know much about CCs to be honest, but I would imagine yes. At 4 year colleges there are usually a ton of ECs you can get involved in to boost your chances, and I would imagine that it's easier to integrate into a four year college than an CC. Just my opinion though. Additionally, 4 year colleges probably have more resources (AKA MONEY) for things like student research, internship stipends, etc., so if you really want to get involved you'll have more options at a 4 year.</p>
<p>I do not totally agree with speakout..... CC's have alot of money to give out and there tuition is cheaper thus making it a better buy. I would agree though that the 4 year college suits you better if in fact your getting a good deal and depending on the college that accepted you. As for internships and research, lets face it most freshman and even sophmores do not do any research, and internships can wait til your junior year so dont try to over extend yourself. Also ask yourself if you want to live at home, or even stay close to home. What are your options though... You are telling us about maybe going to a CC, but what other deals do you have, you need to specify many things to get a true opinion, although I will add all opinions are biased</p>
<p>Having transferring to a top 15 from a local, state 4-year university, I'd say go with the 4 year college.</p>
<p>While I'm not against CC's, there is usually the 'misconception' if you will, that the workload is easier and the pace is slower, leaving you less prepared for a higher-ranked institution. Furthermore, my brother attends a CC, (due to LD), and he has stated a lot of the students do not have the same drive and commitment as he does, rarely show up, drop out, etc., which brings down the overall vibe of the classroom. (Again, this is not going to happen at every CC, but know that this can be a circumstance you might encounter.)</p>
<p>I think a 4 year will offer better resources overall, you'll have a larger faculty base, additional academic advising services, extracurriculars and special programs that might not be offered at a CC.</p>
<p>And in terms of your HS record, it matters less and less the longer you are in college and consistently perform well. If you don't end up getting into the college of your choice as a sophomore, you can try again as a junior, your HS record will be of much less importance, and you will have had the opportunity to complete all the core courses at the 4 year, (saving you $$), and be able to enroll in the interesting, upper level courses at the new university.</p>
<p>Phew, hope that made sense. Good luck with your decision, keep us posted!</p>
<p>Now thats a good argument Tanya!..... Some of the problems you stated are some the of the main problems I have with CC's, however I do believe if you dont care about the atmosphere because your driven then that argument kinda dies..... I will add this though, if you do go to a CC take the hardest courseload you can for your major because it will help tons.</p>
<p>Thanks... See, I guess the question is, while you might not be affected by the atmosphere because you, yourself, are dedicated to performing well, how does the professor respond/react to rowdy students, students who leave class, drop out, not take things seriously? I'd be interested to see that dynamic... :)</p>
<p>I really appreciate all of this help. I have decided to apply to schools I think I have a shot at getting into. I will also stick with my CC just in case I get rejected where I apply to. This way I have a back up. Thanks guys!</p>